Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
The Joy of A Simple Salad
Can we talk about how summer just... solves dinner for us? No preheating the oven, no standing over a hot stove sweating into your food (we've all been there). Just a big bowl, whatever's crisp and colorful, a good dressing, and boom — you're eating in twenty minutes.
Here's my honest take: summer salads are basically permission to stop overthinking meals. Got half a box of pasta and a can of chickpeas? Salad. Garden tomatoes going soft and cucumbers multiplying like rabbits? Salad. Leftover rotisserie chicken and some greens wilting in the crisper? You guessed it. There's no wrong way to do it, and that's the whole point — it's forgiving, flexible, and endlessly customizable to whatever you're craving or whatever needs to be used up.
I especially love a good bean salad for this reason. It's got fiber, it's got staying power, and it tastes even better the next day, which means future-you already has lunch handled. Pasta salads are the same deal — make a big batch on Sunday and you're set through Wednesday. And greens straight from the garden? Nothing beats that first-bite freshness.
Summer salads take the pressure off. They meet you where you are, whether that's a five-ingredient toss-together or a farmers-market haul turned masterpiece. That's the joy of it. Simple, satisfying, and somehow always exactly what you wanted.
A few easy summer salads to try:
Quick and Easy Pasta Salad — a 20-minute, no-mayo classic
Easy Bean Pasta Salad (Taco Night Vibes) — black beans, corn, avocado, lime
Summertime Pasta Salad with Jalapeño Pesto — bold, veggie-packed, vegan-friendly
21 Make-Ahead Pasta Salads — a whole roundup for when you want options
Ask Clara:
"How do I add more fiber to my diet?"
Why Bananas Are Taking Over Beauty and Fragrance Right Now
The fruit that's suddenly everywhere in beauty: bananas.
Here's the tea: searches for banana perfume jumped 100% in June alone, and #bananaperfume already has millions of views on TikTok. Global interest has been climbing for months, with worldwide searches for "banana perfume" up 37% in a single month. It's a whole moment.
So why banana, why now? Perfumers are hunting for the next vanilla, since vanilla's reinvention was such a massive success, and banana pairs well with both fruity and edible notes. It also helps that banana is trending as a flavor in food and drinks too, similar to matcha's rise in coffee shops, and that familiarity naturally carries over into beauty.
Industry analysts agree: bananas are showing up not just in fragrance but also across color cosmetics, hair care, and skin care, as brands use foodie ingredients to evoke texture and flavor. And the note itself is getting a glow-up — new banana fragrances are ditching the candied, artificial vibe for something more starchy, vegetal, and grown -up.
Ask Clara:
"How do I add more potassium to my diet?"
The First New Sunscreen Ingredient the FDA Has Approved in 20 Years
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the FDA just approved a brand-new chemical UV filter for sunscreens sold here in the US, and dermatologists are genuinely losing it over it.
The ingredient is called bemotrizinol, and here's the magic: unlike our current go-to UVA blocker (avobenzone), which isn't photostable and can break down and cause skin irritation when exposed to sunlight, bemotrizinol protects against both UVA and UVB rays on its own and is photostable, breaking down more slowly for better protection. Translation: your SPF actually works harder for you, even if you're a little late to reapply.
It's not new to the world, either. Bemotrizinol has been widely used in European and Asian sunscreens for decades, so it comes with serious safety receipts. And the glow-up doesn't stop there: because it's transparent on skin and doesn't need to be mixed with as many other filters, it should lead to more aesthetically pleasing, less greasy formulas.
Keep an eye out this September, when products with bemotrizinol start hitting shelves. Your future skin says thank you.
What Are Exercise Snacks? The Science-Backed Fitness Hack for Busy People
The fitness trend that's basically permission to not do a 45-minute gym session: exercise snacks. These are just short, punchy bursts of movement (think: a minute of stair climbing, a set of squats while your coffee brews) sprinkled throughout your day instead of one big sweaty block.
A December 2025 systematic review examined 26 studies and found that these mini-movement moments actually work. They improved glucose control, blood pressure, strength, and cognitive function across adult populations and were well tolerated, consistently boosting mood and energy levels. Even better, researchers found exercise snacking is feasible and time-efficient for reducing sedentary behavior and improving overall health, with high adherence supporting its integration into everyday routines. Translation: it's realistic enough that you'll actually stick with it, unlike that ambitious 5 am workout plan we all abandon by Thursday.
So next time you're dreading "finding time to work out," remember you don't need an hour. You need a minute, maybe two, a few times a day. Snack-sized movement, big-time payoff.
Best Summer Beauty & Wellness Finds Under $10 Right Now
Okay, can we talk about how incredible the beauty aisle is right now? Because your glow-up is literally right there — and it costs less than your last coffee run. Here are the under-$10 heroes to keep your Summer on track.
First, skincare: the Good Molecules Firming Peptide Eye Cream (just $6 at Ulta!) is a legit steal — a peptide-powered formula targeting fine lines and dark circles without the department store price tag. Pair it with the ANUA Hyaluronic Acid 8 + Catechin Cooling Mask (~$5–$7 per mask) for a glass-skin moment at home. Reviewers rave that it instantly cools, leaves skin plump and bouncy, and calms redness almost completely. It's the self-care Sunday treat your skin deserves.
For body hydration, the Neutrogena HydroBoost Hydrating Body Cream is a hyaluronic acid dream that keeps skin soft and moisturized all day — often found on sale under $10. And for your lips? The ChapStick HydraBalm Lip Repair Balm delivers serious moisture with zero fuss.
On the makeup side, the e.l.f. Sheer For It Blush Lip & Cheek Tint is only $6 and is everything. It delivers buildable, long-lasting stain power on both lips and cheeks at a fraction of the cost of other products. Two products in one — yes please!
Finally, hair: the Conair Flap Claw Clips is the perfect poolside companion! Affordable, sturdy, and no pain, so hot right now.
Money Wellness Is Real Wellness
I just got done updating a spreadsheet dedicated to my monthly maintenance routines (spoiler alert: I’m not a natural blonde), and after a few heavy sighs, and weighing the financial decision of monthly mani/pedis or my new love for reformer pilates, I decided to take a deep breath and make a realistic budget.
Wellness isn’t just for our physical or mental well-being — the morning routines, the supplements, the Sunday resets. But there's one pillar most of us quietly avoid: our finances.
Financial stress is one of the leading contributors to poor sleep, anxiety, and burnout. Which means that getting your money sorted isn't just practical, it's good for your health.
That's where a dedicated wellness account comes in. Think of it less like banking admin and more like building a foundation for the kind of calm, intentional life you're already working toward.
Your wellness fund is actually growing. SoFi Checking and Savings members with direct deposit earn a high APY on savings — so the money you're setting aside for therapy, gym memberships, or that yoga retreat is quietly compounding while you wait. And don’t we love more with less?
Also, SoFi lets you set up savings vaults, or rather, dedicated buckets for specific goals. Create one for your wellness fund, one for a fitness goal, and one for a mental-health-day retreat. Seeing those numbers grow, separated and labeled, makes the abstract feel real, and the goal feel close.
Wellness isn't just what you put in your body or how you move it. It's the peace of knowing you're financially grounded. Now exhale, you’ve got it covered.
Disclosures:
Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
SoFi does not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. SoFi does charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
The Best Free Workout Ideas — From Run Clubs to Audiobook Walking Groups
Are your pilates classes starting to add up? Workout memberships can be expensive, and honestly? You don't need one. Some of the best workouts out there cost exactly zero dollars, and they come with a side of community that'll actually make you want to show up.
First, let's talk run clubs. The Road Runners Club of America supports community-based running clubs for all ages and abilities, with most local clubs offering group runs at least once a week — and many running stores host them for free too. Search your city on Meetup.com to find a crew near you.
If running isn't your thing, have you heard about audiobook walking clubs? They are having a major moment right now. These groups are completely free, welcoming walkers of all fitness levels, and blend community with the joy of a great story. Groups typically meet at scenic parks or urban trails for 60 to 90 minutes, listening to audiobooks while enjoying each other's company.
For at-home options, there are a few free apps, but YouTube is the OG of free workout classes! From bodyweight sessions and yoga to HIIT and strength training — for all fitness levels, wherever you are!
Movement doesn't have to cost a thing. Your body, your neighborhood, and a good podcast are honestly all you need. Go get it!!
How To Look High-Maintenance on a Low-Maintenance Budget: The Best Ways To Save on Your Beauty Routine At Home
Beauty upkeep in this economy?! With everything getting more expensive, I thought a refresher on some budget-friendly beauty routine hacks might be useful for a simple summer refresh. Between nails, lashes, brows, facials, and hair, the costs add up faster than we'd like to admit. But here's the thing, your wallet has been waiting to hear: you can absolutely look polished and put-together without the hefty price tag.
Start by shopping your own stash. Before you click "add to cart" on anything new, raid your bathroom drawer. Many of us have multiple sunscreens or concealers we only half-use (if they’re not expired!). Work through what you already have first. Instant savings, zero effort.
Simplify your skincare. More products don't mean better skin. Streamlining a laundry list of expensive products saves both time and money — and many people actually get better results when they swap a complicated skincare regimen for high-quality basics. A good cleanser, face oil, and SPF? That's honestly the trio.
Go DIY on brows and lashes. A lash tint and curl enhances lashes for six to eight weeks and saves precious time in your morning routine. For brows, at-home tinting kits are budget-friendly and surprisingly easy to master.
Lean into low-maintenance hair. Choosing styles that embrace your hair's natural texture — like textured bobs or layered cuts — means less time and money spent styling.
The glow-up doesn't have to cost a fortune. Work smarter, not harder, and keep that money in your cute wallet instead.
Pilates Princess -> Gymnastics Girly
Everyone’s in their Pilates Princess era (if you’re one such Pilates Princess, love that for you!), but I’d just like to practice my inversions.
Absolutely no slander to the exercise – my mom was a Pilates instructor and I am well aware of how difficult hundreds are – I’d just like there to be similar enthusiasm (and community!) for those practicing handstands and presses.
Oh, I’m realizing that maybe I’d just like to find other twenty-(plus-)somethings interested in gymnastics.
I may be in the wrong corner of the internet (per ush!) and you’ve been inundated, actually, with calisthenics content, but let me influence you, just for a minute.
Well, I should note, I’d just like to do handstands – calisthenics, otherwise, is a bit out of my wheelhouse.
So, why should we practice inversions, why should we practice balancing?
For the gua sha girlies (of which I am one!), inversions stimulate the lymphatic system, boosting circulation, and improving clarity. That last bit is a product of reversing gravity and allowing blood to (re-)flow toward your heart and brain.
Similarly, inversions can decompress the spine and alleviate back pain. (A quick caveat! Handstands may not be the way to go, here; a downward dog, instead, would be the safer remedy of the two.)
Now, if you’re thinking, Chloe, I’d actually just like to remain upright, there are plenty of other balancing exercises – because handstands are rooted in balance – you can do, too!
Single-leg stands and bird dogs to name two! Balancing is rather important, particularly as we age, to maintain body awareness, improve joint health, and prevent falling.
Have I influenced you yet?
Happy balancing – maybe even happy handstanding!
Photo Source: Marc Kleen via Unsplash.
Ask Clara:
"Which exercises improve balance?"
I'm Gonna Soak Up the Sun (And So Should You)
Hii friends! Long time(-ish), no Wellness Edit!
I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and were able to properly relax – whatever that means to you!
For a dear friend of mine, I’d gotten up at the crack of dawn Monday morn’ (5AM, really, is quite early for a college student) to celebrate her birthday with the sunrise – which got me thinking, unsurprisingly, about sleeping habits.
I am a notoriously poor sleeper (per the insights of my Whoop), spending far too many hours in a “light sleep” and too few in REM. Then, I’ll succumb to the exhaustion about midday everyday, napping well past the recommended twenty minutes, and the (vicious, vicious) cycle repeats itself.
So, I broached this subject with my therapist, and she recommended early morning sunlight exposure, among other things (such is the life of an anxiety-riddled girly).
Sunlight exposure – particularly that received in the morning – regulates our circadian rhythm, prompting our bodies to reduce melatonin production and increase cortisol production.
If it’s been a minute since you’ve taken bio (same here!), melatonin makes us feel sleepy and cortisol (in manageable levels!) makes us feel a bit more alert and focused.
Now, did I return to my bed post-sunrise-birthday? Yes, I did – and I am unashamed!
But, for the hour or so we sprawled on the lakeshore, I’m nearly certain the sunlight had alleviated a bit of my usual Monday grogginess, holiday or not!
So, in the (warbling, hippie) vein of Sheryl Crow, go soak up the sun.
P.S. I am old enough to listen to Sheryl Crow, but her lyrics don't make too much sense to me – like, what is a 45??
Ask Clara:
"How can I improve my circadian rhythm? "